FDA recalls salad products due to salmonella threat

The FDA has announced a recall of a specific selection of Romaine-based ready-to-eat salads from Fresh Express, a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, due to possible salmonella contamination, according to an FDA press release.

Fresh Express is collaborating with FDA officials and has voluntarily recalled salads with the expired use-by dates of May 13 to May 16 and an “S” in the product code. The recall applies to products with these use-by dates and product codes in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The recall came after an isolated instance of positive salmonella identification in a single package of Fresh Express Hearts of Romaine Salad with a use-by date of May 15. The contamination was identified during a random FDA sample test.

The recall extends to retailers and consumers. Consumers with a potentially infected product that fits the inclusion criteria are instructed to make note of the use-by date and product code and to dispose of the package. Retailers are instructed to reconfirm with distribution centers and individual stores to ensure that no potentially contaminated product remains in inventory or at store locations.

Fresh Express representatives will contact retail customers. Retailers and consumers are encouraged to contact a Fresh Express consumer representative.

In the wake of the contamination, Fresh Express has completed a company-wide product traceability review.